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Viber CEO pours cold water on a report that it’s in talks to be acquired by an Asian IM company

Feb11
by on February 11, 2014 at 10:37 am
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web

viber Viber CEO pours cold water on a report that its in talks to be acquired by an Asian IM companyA report surfaced today saying that Internet telephony company Viber was in talks with a “leading” Asian IM company for an acquisition to the tune of $400 million — which hinted at companies including China’s Tencent, which owns WeChat, or Japanese company Line.

However, Viber CEO Talmon Marco says he has “no knowledge of any of the items mentioned in the story,” in a statement issued to us by the company.

With its more than 200 million registered users, and revenue stream via selling stickers and international calling credit, it’s easy to see why Viber would appeal to Asian IM companies — considering what messaging apps could add on to their existing services with a call infrastructure. An acquisition could pay off for Viber too, given that the market is arguably saturated with plenty of VoIP calling services and Skype as the main stalwart in the industry.

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GitHub wants schools to collaborate on code

Feb11
by on February 11, 2014 at 10:15 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

GHUB GitHub wants schools to collaborate on codeGitHub is encouraging all the schools of the world to jump on board its coding community platform.

The new Education portal on GitHub is designed to encourage students, teachers, and educational establishments to collaborate around code. “We want to help the next generation of developers build the future,” the organization said in a blog post.

Though GitHub has been offering discounts to educational establishments for a while already – it already counts 1,200 classrooms and 70,000 students as signed-up users – this now makes things official. Schools can add and verify themselves now, and receive free Micro accounts, free GitHub organization accounts for use in the classroom, and a 25% discount on all other use-cases.

➤ Education | GitHub

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Google reportedly has a partner in its robotics efforts: Apple supplier Foxconn

Feb11
by on February 11, 2014 at 10:03 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Asia, Google, robots, Taiwan

Foxconn Logo Google reportedly has a partner in its robotics efforts: Apple supplier FoxconnFor years, Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn – also known as Hon Hai – has been Apple’s largest supplier. However, it is now also quietly working with Apple’s rival Google — more specifically on Android creator Andy Rubin’s robotics project — the Wall Street Journal reports.

Foxconn’s chairman Terry Gou met with Rubin to discuss new robotic technologies and the possibility of deploying robots at Foxconn’s factories, according to the WSJ. This could mean that Google will use Foxconn as a testing ground for its robots, which will reportedly be targeted at manufacturing in areas such as electronics assembly.

Foxconn may be best known for its Apple link but it has seen its revenue growth slowing. The company has thus been intensifying its diversification efforts – and one of its initiatives was a smartwatch, unveiled in June this year.

➤ Foxconn Working With Google on Robotics [Wall Street Journal]

Thumbnail image via Voishmel/AFP/Getty Images

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Yelp puts photos front and center with new design

Feb11
by on February 11, 2014 at 9:16 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

Just two days after it emerged Yahoo was reportedly tapping its data to boost search engine results, business review site Yelp is giving its own site a bit of a spit-shine.

Though the fresh look is yet to be pushed live, it will better emphasize the community-contributed content, while also pushing photos of businesses “front and center”, as Yelp puts it. This means that rather than being greeted by a small thumbnail at first, you can choose from six large images instead.

Yelpie 730x473 Yelp puts photos front and center with new design
Moreover, the user review highlights feature now surfaces the best menu items, prices and other key information, such as whether a bar only sells wine. Finally, the user reviews’ column width has been reduced and font size has also been given a tweak to make it easier to read, while displaying larger photos and pushing them in-line underneath the text.

➤ Yelp’s New Interface in Your Face! | Yelp Blog

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Samsung hints at TouchWiz redesign with the latest teaser for its Unpacked 5 event

Feb11
by on February 11, 2014 at 8:53 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Mobile, samsung

We’ve already seen leaks suggesting that Samsung is preparing a significant overhaul for TouchWiz, the user interface on its Android devices, and now the company has teased a set of new, streamlined and circular icons for it.

This teaser posted to Samsung’s blog and social media accounts shows a simplified set of icons which have been added to the media invitation for its Unpacked 5 event, where it seems likely the Galaxy S5 will be unveiled. The fitness and lifestyle icons may also be a nod to the Google Now-style alerts that last month’s leak suggested would arrive in TouchWiz.

0211G KV 가로형final 730x486 Samsung hints at TouchWiz redesign with the latest teaser for its Unpacked 5 event

The event takes place in less than two weeks, so there’s not long to wait. TNW will be ring-side in Barcelona to bring you the latest as soon as it is announced.

➤ Update on Samsung Unpacked 2014 [Samsung]

Thumbnail image via JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images

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